Malawi is known to be one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. With the magnificent Lake Malawi and the abundance of wildlife, it surely is worth a visit.
The country has not experienced any major political unrest since its independence. There are crimes reported in the major cities, just like any other country in the world, but this includes mainly petty crimes such as purse snatching, pickpocketing and muggings. There have also been reports of local residence burglaries and carjackings.
Malawi has had some sporadic earthquakes which may cause landslides. Strong aftershocks are possible up to one week after the initial quake. Check the local news before planning your safari to Malawi.
The rainy season occurs from November until April. Secondary roads can become impassable except with a four-wheel-drive vehicle during this period. Stay informed about regional weather forecasts and plan ahead.
There are always risks surrounding viewing wildlife, especially on foot or at close range. Always maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife, especially hippos, if you are planning a boat trip.
Make sure you use a reputable tour operator to ensure you get professional, skilled wildlife guides.
The cities, like in any other country in the world, are the most dangerous. Fraudulent tricksters are known to operate in the major cities and tourist destinations such as Blantyre, Cape Maclear, Mzuzu, Nkhata Bay, Senga Bay and Zomba. There also have been instances of attacks against visitors to the Mount Mulanje area.
If you do land up visiting the area, make sure you have a reputable tour guide. Take care to avoid environmental hazards such as bilharzia and traveller’s diarrhoea.
Make sure you use reputable taxis. Avoid walking at night, in case crime escalates.
If you do use public transportation services, or decide to hike, never leave your bags alone. Do not look wealthy; avoid wearing expensive jewellery or flash money around.
Make sure your passport and travel documents are safe at all times. Credit card fraud has increased in the country. Do not let your credit card out of your sight and do not use ATMs at night or the ones situated in public streets.
Be careful when using your phone in public areas and avoid using it when in a crowded area.
There are regular flights and bus services between Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba but public transport becomes more limited in rural areas. Travelling by minibus between cities is not recommended, as the vehicles are overloaded and not maintained well.
If you are planning to self-drive, remember that the traffic drives on the left side of the road. Do not drive at night, since Malawi has a high death toll for vehicle accidents.
Penalties for drunk driving and speeding are extremely severe in Malawi and it is illegal to talk on a mobile phone while driving. An International Driving Permit is required.
Pedestrians, animals, bad driving and potholes, vehicles at night without lights switched on also pose high risks and emergency roadside aid is extremely limited.
Wear seatbelts and keep your doors locked and windows closed at all times. Carjackings have occurred. If this happens do not resist.
Do not leave your belongings in your vehicle.
Photographing government buildings, churches, airports, religious sites and military instillations is prohibited. It is seen as offensive to photograph people without getting their permission first.
The majority of the population are Christians, especially in rural areas. Muslims are dominant in the south of the country, especially in the districts of Balaka, Machinga, Mangochi and Chiradzulu.
Most households in the south and centre are matrilineal whilst those in the north and some parts of the south are predominantly patrilineal.
Malawi culture is vastly diverse, and traditions differ widely in different parts of the country. Most Malawians are however known for their friendliness towards visitors and they have a welcoming warmth about them.
If you plan to visit a local family, take different flavoured teas as a gift. That is rarely found in the country and always a welcome gift.
Malawian culture is conservative and respectful of elders. Dress and behave discreetly to avoid upsetting the local people.
Malawian law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Same sex couples visiting the country should exercise extreme discretion in public and also when making hotel bookings.
Do not use or carry illegal drugs, including marijuana. Penalties include long prison sentences. Do not offer to carry a package from an unknown of suspicious source in your luggage as you risk being used as a drug mule.
The following goods are duty free for visitors over the age of 16 years old: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco in any form, one litre of spirits and one litre of wine or beer. It is illegal to import ivory, drugs and pornographic material in Malawi.
If you are planning a hunting trip, you have to have a licence to import firearms and munitions. Contact the High Commission of the Republic of Malawi for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Always keep a copy of your passport with you at all times. If you do lose your passport, report it to your nearest police station and get a copy of the police report. Also report it to your embassy to obtain another passport.
Medical clinics and hospitals are available in the major cities. The medical services are below western standards although some tourists have stated that the medical care was adequate for minor incidents. There are also pharmacies in most of the cities.
For serious illnesses and accidents, a medical evacuation to South Africa would have to take place. Normally a cash payment is expected before this can happen. Make sure you get adequate medical travel insurance.
The World Health Organisation recommends the following vaccinations for Malawi: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
Malaria is a high risk in Malawi. Start taking anti-malaria tablets before your trip and make sure you have enough for the duration of your stay. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.
Symptoms can be similar to that of flu or cause shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe. A high fever, profuse sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, muscle pain and bloody stools may also occur.
Schistosomiasis is known to be present in certain parts of Lake Malawi. It is also known as snail fever and bilharzia. It is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms. The urinary tract or the intestines can be infected. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloody stool, or blood in the urine.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can lead to a high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and can be fatal. It is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. The infection is often passed on through contaminated food and drinking water, and it is more predominant in areas where handwashing is less frequent. The symptoms are a high fever, diarrhoea and a rash can sometimes appear.
Bilharzia is present in the many places where water is still. Make sure you find out from your reputable tour guide before swimming in such places. Bilharzia, or “snail fever,” is caused by a parasitic worm. It affects the intestines and the urinary system preferentially, but because it lives in the blood vessels, it can harm other systems in the body too.
The symptoms can take between 14 to 84 days to appear. A rash, fever, headaches, body aches and breathing difficulties are some of the symptoms.
Drink only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice. Avoid raw or undercooked foods. Thoroughly cooked hot foods can be eaten as it will mean most infections can be avoided. Raw fruits can be eaten only if they have an unbroken skin and are peeled. Raw vegetables and salads should be avoided due to contamination.
If food has been left out of a refrigerator for longer than an hour especially eggs, chicken and dairy do not consume them.
Don’t go near pets or stray dogs, cats or other animals in Malawi. They can carry infectious diseases like rabies which is life threatening and they may bite and scratch you.
Heat exhaustion is a common problem, especially among tourists that come from cooler climates. Symptoms include a bad headache, dizziness, vomiting and extreme tiredness. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of bottled water or beverages. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen lotion to prevent yourself from getting sunburn.
Chronic dehydration makes you feel weak, tired, and lightheaded and increases your risk of developing kidney stones.
Move into a cool area or room and elevate your feet and legs. Drink lots of fluids until your body temperature drops. Seek medical treatment if the symptoms persist.
HIV is widespread in Malawi. An estimated 1.1 million of the population in the country are living with HIV – that is around 10.8 percent of the adult population. Avoid the risk of contracting it by avoiding new sexual encounters while on holiday. If you cannot abstain, condoms can provide some protection.
Malawi is possibly one of the safest places in Africa for women to travel on their own, especially if the female travellers take the same precautions they would at home.
Dress appropriately in certain areas and rather wear loose clothing that covers arms, shoulders and your legs. Some places do require you to wear long skirts.
In Lilongwe, as well as in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba, there were isolated incidents where men attacked women wearing pants, leggings and short skirts.
Since the beginning of 2020 visitors to any country should be aware of and help to avoid the spreading of the coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Some infect people and are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Wash your hands with soap and water or sanitiser as often as possible, since it can eliminate the virus if it is on your hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and discard tissues into a closed bin immediately, then clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Sneezing or coughing into your hands may contaminate objects or people that you touch.
Maintain a fair distance between yourself and other people, since coughs or sneezes from infected people may project droplets containing the virus.
If you experience some fever, cough and difficulty of breathing, immediately seek medical care.
Always practice general hygiene measures, but especially when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets. Wash your hands with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products.
Strictly avoid any contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities and avoid consumption of any raw or undercooked animal products. You should even handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to Malawi We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in Malawi who make safety a priority.